Whether you are a small food or drink producer, the organiser of a foodie festival or involved in the development of an innovative food / drink product, there is a category that you can enter.

There’s also the opportunity to praise both those who are starting out in the food and drink business, with a special award for the culinary student of the year, and those who have worked in the sector for a lengthy period of time, through a Lifetime Achievement Award.

The awards are also an excellent opportunity for sponsorship, and already a number of key sponsors have come on board, including Invest NI, Tourism NI, Food NI, Ramada Plaza and the Livestock and Meat Commission (LMC).

John Hood, Food and Tourism Director, Invest NI said: “2016, our Year of Food and Drink, is an ideal opportunity to celebrate the pure, natural, quality of Northern Ireland’s produce.

“These awards give local companies of all sizes the opportunity to showcase their products and to promote their brands. Northern Ireland has for many years been the UK’s best kept secret for food and drink and we should seize the opportunity to change that perception at home and outside of Northern Ireland.

“Our recent Taste of Northern Ireland promotion at Fortnum & Mason flagship store in London, and the Balmoral Show Food NI Food Pavilion proves that we have products to be proud of. What better way to re-inforce that message than to enter this year’s Grow Make Eat Drink Awards.”